Betts wins his arbitration case

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts won his arbitration case on Wednesday and will earn $10.5 million this season.

Betts’ requested salary is just short of the record deal for a first-year arbitration-eligible player that the Chicago Cubs gave third baseman Kris Bryant ($10.85 million) this month, but the two sides settled.

Betts, 25, defeated the Red Sox in a hearing held Tuesday in Phoenix. A panel of three judges ruled in favor of Betts instead of Boston’s counter offer of $7.5 million.

Betts hit .264 with 24 home runs, 46 doubles and 102 RBIs for the Red Sox last season, helping to team to the American League East title. He finished runner-up to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2016 AL MVP vote.

Betts, a two-time All-Star, is also an elite defender in right field, winning Gold Gloves the last two seasons.

Oscar Gamble dies

Oscar Gamble, who played for seven teams but who was best known for his seven seasons as a New York Yankees outfielder and designated hitter, died Wednesday at the age of 68, his agent confirmed.

Gamble reached the majors in 1969 with the Chicago Cubs and played in 1,584 big league games through 1985, batting .265 with 200 home runs and 666 RBIs.

The left-handed hitter remembered by many for his trademark Afro hairstyle barely contained by a batting helmet, hit a career-best 31 home runs for the Chicago White Sox in 1977.

Gamble had joined the White Sox after one season with the Yankees along with future Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt in exchange for Bucky Dent.

Gamble returned to New York in a trade in the 1979 season that sent outfielder Mickey Rivers to the Texas Rangers.

He teamed with Reggie Jackson for back-to-back homers in the decisive Game 5 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1981 American League Divisional Series.